December 31, 2015

Plant of the Week: Clematis 'Diamond Ball'

Time to watch the ball drop!

If you can stay up that late, anyway. I don't think I've stayed up to watch the Times Square Ball Drop since having kids. But I do enjoy this 'Diamond Ball' clematis. Sure, it does its thing in summer, not on New Year's Eve, but I think it's worth the wait.

Clematis 'Diamond Ball' flowers on both old wood and new wood, so it's a much easier plant for the average gardener to grow. You will see flowers from June through August. The white-blue flowers are round or semi-spherical in shape and reach 4-5" in diameter. And not to belabor the Pantone colors, but this will be one of the popular colors in the new year.

'Diamond Ball' will grow 5-6' tall and 2-3' wide and is hardy to USDA Zone 4. It grows in full sun or partial shade. Try in a patio container or along a fence.

Pruning Clematis

This is a tricky subject. Clematis can be an intimidating group of plants. Until recently, I avoided the subject of when to prune them by simply not growing them. Our new varieties, however, tempted me, and I have them growing in my garden. I took the plunge after learning that pruning these new varieties isn't tricky at all. They bloom on both old and new wood, so I can prune them in the spring with many of my other plants.

Older varieties will need more specific culture. Cultivars are placed in one of three groupings, determined by their bloom time, and pruned accordingly. Fine Gardening has a nice overview.

Clematis are a great addition to any garden. They add color in unexpected places, like fences, and can even be grown in patio containers with a trellis. I have found that they need a season to get their legs under them before you see a lot of flowers. Once those roots get established, though, get ready for a real flower show!

So how about this for a New Year's resolution: grow a new plant. Pick one that has intimidated you in the past (like Clematis). Or maybe one that you've never heard of. Trying a new plant is way more fun than resolving to lose weight or do sit ups every morning.

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

December 21, 2015

Plant of the Week: Let's Dance Diva! Hydrangea

Plant of the Week: Let's Dance Diva! reblooming hydrangea

We're still talking about the 2016 Pantone Color(s) of the Year. After all, they're perfect for hydrangeas - and we do love our hydrangeas here at the nursery. So does the lady behind the color selection process.

This week's top plant is Let's Dance® Diva! reblooming Hydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf hydrangea). This cultivar has exceptionally large lacecap flowers. The colors range from soft pink to soft blue - perfect for next year's color trends! And if you think that gardeners don't like lacecaps, think again. Let's Dance® Diva! hydrangea was our Shrub Madness Champion in 2014.

Let's Dance® Diva! hydrangea grows 3-4' tall and wide and is hardy to USDA Zone 5. It will grow in full sun or partial shade.

Let's Dance Diva! reblooming hydrangea from Proven Winners
A single bloom of Let's Dance Diva! reblooming hydrangea is larger than a dinner plate.

Pink or blue?

Hydrangea macrophylla will go either way. Some lean more to blue, while others lean to pink. Pay attention to the cultivar description and plan accordingly because some varieties 'blue' better than others. Let's Dance® Blue Jangles® reblooming hydrangea is one of them. Others are fabulous as pink - see Paraplu® hydrangea. Some are easy to change, like Let's Dance® Rhythmic Blue™ reblooming hydrangea. And others won't get blue no matter how much you treat the soil (we're looking at you, Cityline® Paris hydrangea).

Our new Let's Dance® Rave hydrangea is at its best as a unique violet. That will come as a surprise to those who try to avoid the dreaded 'blurple' flower, but we decided that it was a beautiful color. Check it out and see what you think.

In the meantime, here's a refresher on changing the color of your hydrangea flowers. Remember, it's just the H. macrophylla and H. serrata (mountain hydrangea) that will shift color. H. arborescens (smooth hydrangea), H. quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea), and H. paniculata (panicle hydrangea) flower color will not be affected by soils. Also, it can take a season or two for many varieties to shift colors, so you need to plan ahead if you want blue flowers.

Finally, please take a look at our Hydrangeas Demystified pdf. This is one of our most popular flyers. You are welcome to use it as you educate your readers about this always-popular genus!

Let's Dance Diva! reblooming hydrangea from Proven Winners
The soft shades of Pantone's Colors of the Year, rose quartz and serenity, are perfectly reflected in Let's Dance Diva! hydrangea's lacecap flowers.
Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

December 14, 2015

Plant of the Week: Chiffon Roses of Sharon - and the Pantone Color(s) of the Year!

Plant of the Week: Chiffon rose of Sharon

Pantone throws us a curve ball this year by naming two colors for 2016. They are Rose Quartz and Serenity, a light pink and a light blue. Lucky for you, we've got plenty of plants that match these shades. Consider the Chiffon™ roses of Sharon. We've got pink... and we've got blue. They are just what you need to capitalize on next year's color trends!

The Chiffon™ Hibiscus are strong-growing, uniform varieties. Both varieties grow 8-12' tall and will do best in full sun. They are hardy to USDA Zone 5 and will attract butterflies to gardens while resisting deer browsing. These are easy-to-grow, durable varieties that your readers will have plenty of success with in their landscapes. Bonus: they have a low seed set to limit unwanted seedlings!

Pink Chiffon rose of Sharon from Proven Winners
The Chiffon series' frilly blooms give the plant a low seed set.

Why should you care?

You may be asking yourself that very question. What does the Pantone Color of the Year have to do with gardening?

The famous 'Cerulean blue' monologue from The Devil Wears Prada does an effective job of explaining why you should care. The reasoning extends far beyond clothing: kitchenware, home decor, advertising - they will all be affected by the trending colors. Even gardens will feel Pantone's influence.

Pantone expects the Color of the Year to affect sales for up to three years in the future. That's good news for those of us in the growing business since we need a little time to get the Color of the Year into production. You will also want to revisit the past few years' colors, too, and feature plants with those popular hues. Have fun with it!

Blue Chiffon rose of Sharon from Proven Winners
Blue, Lavender, Pink or White: with abundant flowers and a graceful habit, the Chiffon series has become a staff favorite.
Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

December 7, 2015

Plant of the Week: Pearl Glam Beautyberry

Plant of the Week: Pearl Glam beautyberry

Pearl Glam™ is our newest Callicarpa hybrid. Like its sister plant Purple Pearls® Callicarpa (beautyberry), it has attractive purple foliage providing season-long color in the landscape. The big show, of course, is the fall fruit, and Pearl Glam beautyberry does not disappoint. It has large violet fruit in fall and is ideal for flower arrangements.

Pearl Glam Callicarpa differs from its sister in that it has white flowers; Purple Pearls Callicarpa has distinctive pink blooms. Both plants will have their best foliage color in full sun, grow 4-5' tall and wide, and are hardy to USDA Zone 5. Callicarpa have good deer resistance; I have seen them used quite a bit in areas where there is heavy deer browsing.

Pearl Glam beautyberry from Proven Winners
The berry-laden branches of Pearl Glam Callicarpa are ideal for arrangements.

Landscape plants

All of our plants are landscape plants, of course. We don't produce house plants here at the nursery, but some plants are particularly good for the landscape market. Callicarpa is one of them. It's a trouble-free plant that adds very desirable fall interest to landscapes. Its compact size is useful, too. It may be used in a mixed border or as a foundation plant. For big impact, try it in a mass planting. It tolerates clay soil, too.

We're very optimistic about the landscape market for 2016. One reason is that 2016 home sales are expected to be their best since 2006. More houses mean more plants. I love the sound of that! OK, you knew this was coming: those of you who like Pearl Jam can indulge. Those of you who don't, well, I guess you can go back to work.

Pearl Glam beautyberry from Proven Winners
Pearl Glam Callicarpa is covered in violet berries in fall.
Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

November 23, 2015

Plant of the Week: 'Golden Treasure' Dwarf Birch

Plant of the Week: 'Golden Treasure' dwarf birch from Proven Winners

We're in the midst of some chilly, rainy weather, and the meteorologists are muttering about snow for the weekend. It's time to admit that winter is upon us and that we're in Zone 5. It could be worse: we could be in USDA Zone 2. But if we were in Zone 2, we could still grow this plant!

Seriously! Betula 'Golden Treasure' is a tough little plant with exceptional hardiness. The sunny yellow foliage is a cheery addition to cold climate gardens and will show tones of orange and red in the new growth. It gets 2-4' tall and wide and grows in full sun or partial shade.

While it has a delightful natural habit, you can trim it closely if you like a more controlled look. In fact, do us a favor and give your pruner-happy friends some of these to trim so they'll let their lilacs grow in peace. I saw some dwarf Korean lilacs in Chicago this fall that had been pruned into submission. It was sad. Remember, right plant, right place (and right person). Some people just need to prune.

'Golden Treasure' dwarf birch from Proven Winners
Leave it wild or keep it close: 'Golden Treasure' can be shaped, sheared, hedged, or trained into a miniature patio tree.

Betula is a great group of plants.

Whether trees or more of a shrub form like 'Golden Treasure', they are a real delight in northern climates.

Did you know you can make syrup from birches? It's like maple syrup, only made from birch sap rather than maple sap. You can also just drink the sap.

Betula papyrifera is a beautiful tree that grows happily in most of Michigan. It will grow further south, but generally isn't very happy in Zone 7. You'll just have to visit us in the North to really see them at their best.

'Golden Treasure' dwarf birch from Proven Winners
Add it to your wish list: 'Golden Treasure' will be available at retail in spring 2017.
I like the way birches choose nice places to grow: forest glades, alongside streams, and in mountains. Yet they still will come and join us in more manicured settings. Fox Valley® Betula nigra is a nice little cultivar for anyone who wants to bring a bit of the hiking trail into their own backyard. I think I will add a 'Golden Treasure' or two to my landscape next season, too.

Finally, one of our nation's literary treasures, Robert Frost, wrote a lovely poem about birches. Maybe it's more about life than birches, but it's a fine reminder of the possibilities that plants give us.

"One could do worse than be a swinger of birches."

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles

November 2, 2015

Plant of the Week: Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia

Plant of the Week: Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia

You know that Deutzia is a charmer in spring, but were you expecting a fall display, too? You should!

Yuki Cherry Blossom™ Deutzia entrances us each spring with its pink flowers; they are very princess-y but even the tough guys around the nursery like them. Look at them in our greenhouse (above photo). Check out that fall foliage! That's where the princess shows what she's really made of.

Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia from Proven Winners
Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia stays a tidy 1-2' tall and wide.

This princess plant is actually a tough cookie - it's deer resistant. Yet butterflies and hummingbirds love those spring flowers. Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia is hardy to USDA Zone 5 and grows 1-2' tall. If you grow Deutzia 'Nikko', delight in this new pink version of the go-to spring plant.

Bonus read: Tim "The Plant Hunter" Wood brings an in depth look at what it takes to bring new Deutzia varieties to retail in Deutzia Redux.

Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia from Proven Winners
Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia is the first pink-flowering 'Nikko'-type.


Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles

October 27, 2015

Plant of the Week: Red Rover Silky Dogwood

Plant of the Week: red Rover silky dogwood


Red Rover™ dogwood is a nice new selection of our native Cornus obliqua. It grows to 4-5' tall and wide. This is more compact than the species, which can grow to 12' in height. Red Rover dogwood is a better fit for many residential applications.

Cornus obliqua has a lot of desirable qualities. It's a great choice for rain gardens as it grows well in moist, even soggy soils. Silky dogwood also supports our native pollinator populations. Did we mention that it looks nice, too? Clean green foliage takes on rich burgundy red tones in fall and contrasts with blue fruit. Birds like the fruit, and people will like the fall interest in the landscape.

Red Rover silky dogwood from Proven Winners

This is a very new plant, so you'll have to wait until 2017 to find it at your local garden center.

Good dog(wood).

Dogwoods are as varied as their canine namesakes. There is the unapologetic ornamental Cornus florida. It's sort of like a Pomeranian - there as a companion and excellent at its job.

Then there's the hardworking C. stolonifera. Plant it in packs for winter interest: it will take cold weather, wet soils, and look good while doing it. Perhaps it is the Newfoundland of Cornus?

Then there's the exotic C. kousa. I know that natives are all the rage, but I love this plant so much and want one so badly. They are just fabulous. What breed would it be? The Ibazan Hound? OK, I looked that one up. They do look fabulous, but probably wouldn't enjoy our Michigan winters as much as my Norwegian Elkhound.

Like canines, dogwoods come in all shapes and sizes and are a wonderful addition to your garden. And while a rescue dog can be a delightful addition to your family, sticking with a named cultivar of Cornus is probably the way to go. Seedlings can be pretty erratic in their size and performance. Mutts, on the other hand, are often the best dogs.

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles

October 19, 2015

Plant of the Week: Berry Poppins Winterberry Holly

Plant of the Week: Berry Poppins winterberry holly

More Berries!

The questionable berry puns continue with Berry Poppins® Ilex verticillata (winterberry). This is a heavy fruiting dwarf selection of our native I. verticillata: it grows to just 3-4' as compared to the more typical 6-8'.

Berry Poppins winterberry holly from Proven Winners
Winterberry hollies like Berry Poppins Ilex are great for cut stems fall and winter.
This plant has everything that landscapers seem to be asking for. It's a hardy, native plant with minimal maintenance requirements, and will do well in the rain gardens and bioswales that so many regions need. Homeowners will love it, too - it fits into their residential landscapes and provides much needed winter interest.

Berry Poppins winterberry holly from Proven Winners
Female Berry Poppins holly needs a pollinator to fruit. Try compact Mr. Poppins holly.

Just remember that Berry Poppins winterberry holly won't fruit unless she's got a beau nearby. We recommend equally compact Mr. Poppins I. verticillata. No picture of him here, because he's there to work, not to look pretty. 

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

October 12, 2015

Plant of the Week: Proud Berry Coral Berry

Proud Berry coral berry from Proven Winners

It's the berries!

Proud Berry™ Symphoricarpos is an improved new coral berry with compact growth and a profusion of bright pink berries in late summer and fall. The berry display on this plant is just outstanding. Use this native plant in cutting gardens or as a mass planting.

Proud Berry Symphoricarpos grows in full sun or partial shade and is deer-resistant. It gets 3-4' tall and wide and is hardy to USDA Zone 3.

Look for this new variety at retail, spring of 2017.

Proud Berry coral berry from Proven Winners
Proud Berry coral berry stays a compact 3-4' tall and wide.

Have you heard that expression before? "It's the berries" was one that my grandmother used. Apparently it was very trendy slang in rural 1920's Illinois. OMG LOL!

It means something that's really nice. I think it's rather charming. After all, few things are nicer than berries. Whether you're putting them in pancakes, eating them with ice cream, or just admiring them in your garden, berries are delightful. Note: Symphoricarpos berries are not edible. Hold on to your ice cream cone and just look at them.

One of the few drawbacks to berries is that they usually aren't obvious to spring garden center customers. So now is the time to remind your readers of how lovely berries and other fall features are in gardens. There are a lot of landscapes out there that look great in spring (when homeowners shop) and fade into nothing in fall. That's too bad, because a fall garden is a real delight.

Another hazard with berries is the the temptation to indulge in bad puns. My younger daughter went through a long Strawberry Shortcake phase; eventually I made her watch the videos in Spanish to preserve my sanity. Seriously, if you're the parent of a toddler, try it. Barbie in French is magnifique.

Proud Berry coral berry from Proven Winners
Native Proud Berry coral berry erupts in a profusion of bright pink berries in late summer and autumn.

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

October 5, 2015

Plant of the Week: Red Balloon Viburnum

Red Balloon Viburnum from Proven Winners

99 Red Balloons


Red Balloon™ viburnum is an outstanding new selection for anyone looking for a fall fruit display. This cross between Viburnum lantana and V.rhytidiphyllum is a very showy plant with a nice compact habit. It produces tightly packed clusters of bright red fruit in late summer and fall. For the best fruiting, plant it near V. 'Mohican' or V. rhytidiphylloides.

Red Balloon viburnum is hardy to USDA Zone 4 and grows 6-8' tall and wide. It's super easy to grow, and unlike many great landscape plants, it looks good in a container. It has pretty white flowers in spring, too! Really, what's not to love about this deer-resistant plant?

Red Balloon Viburnum from Proven Winners
Red Balloon viburnum's white flowers appear in April and May.

Viburnums are wonderful plants. You'd be hard pressed to find a landscaper or nursery grower who doesn't appreciate this varied genus. Fragrance, flowers, foliage, fruit - you'll find it all in the Viburnum section.

The only problem with viburnums is keeping track of what's what. When I worked on the Spring Meadow Nursery catalog, I came to dread the viburnums. For one, it comes late in the alphabet, so there often wasn't a lot of flexibility in the pagination. Secondly, there are just so many, and the species and subspecies make for a tangled mess, especially when making cross-pollination recommendations.

Generally speaking, you want two different cultivars of the same species to get good fruiting. However (and there's always a however), cross-pollination between species happens regularly. If there was a Tinder for plants, viburnums would be on it. You do need to pay attention to flowering time, though. It's no use telling that cute viburnum that you'd like to meet it if it works the day shift and you're on nights.

Red Balloon Viburnum from Proven Winners
The fall fruit of Red Balloon viburnum is an eye-catching cherry color.

Sometimes, though, fruiting isn't what's important. Some viburnums, like V. carlesii, are grown for their fragrance. Others are grown more for their foliage: Emerald Envy® V. rhytidiphylloides and Handsome DevilViburnum are two selections with outstanding foliage.

Then there are some viburnums that seem to have it all. Red Balloon viburnum, with its handsome foliage, compact habit, pretty flowers, and spectacular berry display, is one. It may not be fragrant, but this easy-to-grow variety does just about everything else you'd want a viburnum to do.

OK, so here it is: Your Big '80's Flashback. If you were really cool in 1983, you sang along in German...

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

October 1, 2015

GWA Symposium

Greetings everyone! 

I hope everyone had a safe trip home from the Annual GWA Symposium in Pasadena, California. It was my first symposium so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had so much fun! It sure is a welcoming group! It was so nice to meet many of you in the exhibit hall at the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® booth, during receptions, and throughout the week. It’s always great putting names with faces! Our booth focused on the Invincibelle Spirit Campaign and the new Invincibelle Spirit II Hydrangea

The garden tours were just amazing, even in the 100 degree weather. My favorite tour was the LA Arboretum. There was so much to see! My group had a terrific tour guide that gave us a good overview of each of the garden areas. We even made it up to the scenic outlook for some awesome views of the mountains!

The educational sessions were outstanding. I learned a lot and left feeling energized with several ideas to make 2016 a great year…hopefully you did too! I also want to congratulate all of the 2015 Award Winners.

Thank you to the GWA board and committees for their hard work to make this event a success. Next year, the symposium is being held in Atlanta, September 16-19, and I look forward to seeing you there!

September 28, 2015

Plant of the Week: Beyond Midnight Bluebeard



You know what's been looking really great in our garden these past couple of weeks? Beyond MidnightCaryopteris. It's Caryopteris season, of course, but this variety is especially appealing. The bees are all over it!

Beyond Midnight bluebeard from Proven Winners
Beyond Midnight Caryopteris has extremely dark, glossy foliage, a compact habit, and rich blue flowers.

It has a particularly nice flower display, and unlike many other varieties, its foliage is quite attractive as well. It fits nicely into our border (2-2.5' tall and wide). Like other Caryopteris, Beyond Midnight™ will do best in full sun and well-drained soil. 

Beyond Midnight bluebeard from Proven Winners
Caryopteris like Beyond Midnight are a favorite of pollinators.

Not a lot of good things happen after midnight. In fact, a lot of really bad decisions are made in the small hours of the morning. Check your Facebook feed or visit an all-night grocery store, and you'll see what I mean.

But this Sunday night we had the opportunity to see something really cool - a lunar eclipse. And not just any lunar eclipse: a Super Moon lunar eclipse!

Technically, the eclipse occurred before midnight; it started at 10:11 p.m. Eastern time. But I'm sure you will grant me a bit of poetic license with the Beyond Midnight™ tie-in because this was just too cool not to talk about. Maybe you stayed up beyond midnight talking about what you just saw. After all, there won't be another for eighteen more years.

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

September 21, 2015

Plant of the Week: Gatsby Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Gatsby Gal oakleaf hydrangea from Proven Winners
Gatsby Gal oakleaf hydrangea


Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea) is a wonderful native plant for North American gardens. With its distinctive texture, outstanding fall foliage and appealing summer flowers, it is a delightful addition to woodland gardens and other landscapes.

Gatsby Gal™ is a compact variety that is a good choice for smaller landscapes. It grows 5-6' tall and wide. If you have a little more room, consider Gatsby Moon™ (full, doubled flowers), Gatsby Star™ (distinct, star-like florets) or Gatsby Pink® (early pink color). They will all grow 6-8' tall. These are superstars for the fall landscape!

Gatsby Moon oakleaf hydrangea from Proven Winners
Gatsby Moon oakleaf hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia grow into USDA Zone 5, and will adapt to full sun or partial shade. They bloom on old wood, so just sit back and enjoy the rich fall foliage - don't prune them!

True confession: I did not enjoy reading The Great Gatsby.

Granted, it was in high school, and I should probably give it another try. But I just can't bring myself to do it. Perhaps because it seemed to be a novel about boring, selfish people and there are so many other books I actually want to read - why give a dud another try?

The Great Gatsby wasn't a success when it was released in 1925. Not until WWII did it gain popularity, eventually becoming prestigious enough to be assigned to surly high school students.

Gatsby Star oakleaf hydrangea from Proven Winners
Gatsby Star oakleaf hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia also improves with age. To really appreciate the appeal of an oakleaf hydrangea, give it a few years in the ground. That sort of long-term thinking doesn't always work in our on-demand-just-in-time-fast-food world, but some things are worth waiting for. The intriguing texture and color of oakleaf hydrangea is one of them.

Perhaps I will give The Great Gatsby another try. After all, that next Game of Thrones book is taking a while to get here.

Gatsby Pink oakleaf hydrangea from Proven Winners
Gatsby Pink oakleaf hydrangea
Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

September 14, 2015

Plant of the Week: Sky Pointer Japanese Holly

Sky Pointer® Ilex crenata is an improved version of the familiar 'Sky Pencil'. It is similar in habit to 'Sky Pencil', growing 4-5' tall and staying very narrow and strongly pyramidal. It's a great choice for adding year-round architecture to your garden and lends itself to a number of creative applications, from a unique accent in a perennial bed to contemporary container gardens. 

Hollies are versatile shrubs that look great year-round, but really steal the show come winter. Sky Pointer holly's shiny, dark evergreen leaves and tight, upright branching make this a must-have plant. 

Sky Pointer holly does well in full sun or part shade and is hardy to USDA Zone 6.

September 9, 2015

Award Winner: Jazz Hands® Variegated Loropetalum


One of our favorite new introductions for the southern market, Jazz Hands® Variegated Loropetalum, received a Retailer’s Choice Award.  A panel of independent garden retailers selected the best new products, both live goods and hard goods, for their stores at SNA 2015 and Jazz Hands® Variegated Loropetalum was among their selections.

And now just a few notes about this lovely plant.  For starters, it is the first ever variegated Loropetalum.  With its beautiful pink flowers and variegated foliage, it’s a real stunner in the garden!  I wish I could grow it in Michigan, but it's best in zones 7b-9b. This distinctive plant is just one of several Loropetalums in the new series introduced by Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrubs.  Others include Jazz Hands® Dwarf Pink, Jazz Hands® Dwarf White, Jazz Hands® Bold, and Jazz Hands® Mini. 
  

September 7, 2015

Plant of the Week: Orchid Satin Rose of Sharon

Orchid Satin rose of Sharon from Proven Winners

We've had a relatively hot, humid stretch of weather here in Michigan. Our friends in the deep South are laughing at our discomfort, but we're not used to 90°F. Plants can get cranky in the heat, too. One groups that seems to love it, though, is Hibiscus syriacus (rose of Sharon).

These tough plants will take heat, dry conditions, and general "we're on vacation" neglect and keep looking great. Orchid Satin® Hibiscus is one of our newer varieties. The beautiful flowers are not just for show; bees and butterflies love them, too. This new variety has the added advantage of being sterile, so you won't have pesky seedlings littering the landscape.

Like other Hibiscus syriacus, Orchid Satin rose of Sharon will do best in full sun and is hardy to USDA Zone 5. I've seen them growing further north but suspect that it is reseeding from year to year. You won't need to worry about that with a sterile variety like Orchid Satin, Azurri Blue Satin® or Sugar Tip® roses of Sharon. All have good deer-resistance.

This variety will grow 8-12' tall and wide. If you need something smaller, check out the Lil' Kim™ varieties, which stay 3-4' tall and wide.

Orchid Satin rose of Sharon from Proven Winners
Orchid Satin rose of Sharon is sterile.

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

August 31, 2015

Plant of the Week: Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip Jr.' Butterfly Bush

Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip Jr.' butterfly bush from Proven Winners

More reliable than a stock tip...

Does the stock market have you nervous? A lot of people were worried last week, even those with a nice blue chip portfolio. You'd better stick with 'Blue Chip' butterfly bush instead. The next generation of Lo & Behold® Buddliea is 'Blue Chip Jr.' It is smaller and less brittle than the original. It starts blooming much earlier and often continues to flower up until a good, hard frost.

Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip Jr.' butterfly bush grows 20-28" tall and wide - a versatile size. And it just won a silver medal at last week's Plantarium show.

Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip Jr.' butterfly bush from Proven Winners
Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip Jr.' Buddleia received a silver medal at the noted Plantarium show in the Netherlands.

Lo & Behold Buddleia are real game changers for butterfly bush. This series of dwarf plants completely changes how we can use Buddleia in gardens.

First, there's the size. Unlike traditional varieties, Lo & Behold Buddleia stay dense and compact. They're a much better fit for residential gardens and can even be used in container designs. We really like them as mass plantings, too. Just be careful about overwintering them above ground unless you are in a very mild climate.

Second, there's the non-invasive nature of these varieties. They are seedless and one of the limited number of varieties that is permitted for sale in states like Oregon that have banned Buddleia.

Finally, consider the long bloom time of the Lo & Behold series. They flower from early summer right to frost without deadheading. These plants will give you months of well-behaved, fragrant color. The only difficulty is deciding which color is right for your landscape. 'Blue Chip Jr.'? 'Lilac Chip'? 'Pink Micro Chip'? 'Ice Chip'? 'Purple Haze'? Maybe all of the above is the answer.

Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip Jr.' butterfly bush from Proven Winners
Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.' Buddleia - did we mention it's also drought tolerant, deer resistant, and adored by butterflies?

The Lo & Behold plants are all hardy to USDA Zone 5. We do recommend planting them in spring rather than fall in cooler climates. Full sun and very well-drained soil are also important.

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

August 24, 2015

Plant of the Week: Zinfin Doll Hydrangea


Zinfin Doll Hydrangea paniculata from Proven Winners

What do you get when you combine puns with alcohol? Usually nothing good, but in this case you get a really nice hydrangea. Zinfin Doll™ Hydrangea paniculata has the same appealing two-toned coloration as Pinky Winky® hydrangea but with the fuller panicles of a 'Limelight'. Like Pinky Winky, Zinfin Doll hydrangea's flowers will open white then start to turn pink at the base, eventually transforming to a fully pink panicle.

Zinfin Doll hydrangea will grow in full sun or partial shade and is hardy to USDA Zone 3. It will get 6-8' tall and wide and is a good cut flower. It will be available at retail in spring 2016.

Zinfin Doll Hydrangea paniculata from Proven Winners
The blooms of Zinfin Doll hydrangea will transform to a fully pink pancile in fall.

There is an abundance of Hydrangea paniculatas in the market. I have heard some people grumble that there are too many, that we just don't need that many choices. I disagree.

First you need to consider size. For a long time, Hydrangea paniculatas came in one size: big. You can still go big if you want to (think 'Limelight' and Pinky Winky hydrangeas) but you can also go with something more compact like 'Little Lamb' or Fire Light® hydrangeas.

New dwarf varieties like Little Lime® and Little Quick Fire® hydrangeas fit into even more applications, and the petite Bobo® hydrangea is just 3' tall!

Next there's flower color. The default for hardy hydrangeas is white, but you can also find green (Little Lime), pink-red (Fire Light) and pink and white bicolor (Zinfin Doll). No blue. Sorry.

Finally there's bloom time. The earliest bloomers are Quick Fire® and Little Quick Fire hydrangeas. Then a typical progression would be Fire Light, Pinky Winky, Zinfin Doll, Little Lime, 'Little Lamb' and 'Limelight'. Plant them all for months of color!

So go ahead and explore the different sizes, colors and bloom times of Hydrangea paniculata. I think you'll find that you shouldn't limit yourself to just one or two 'go-to' varieties.

Zinfin Doll Hydrangea paniculata from Proven Winners
Zinfin Doll hydrangea: the color of Pinky Winky hydrangea with the shape of 'Limelight'
Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

August 17, 2015

Plant of the Week: Tiny Wine Ninebark


Tiny Wine® Physocarpus is a nice dwarf plant that is smaller than others on the market. It is extra-bushy, with small, refined leaves that stay colorful throughout the season. The dark bronze-maroon foliage is a nice contrast to the pinkish-white spring blooms.

Since it is just 3-4' tall and wide, Tiny Wine ninebark fits well into residential landscapes and other smaller sites where larger varieties just get too big. You can even grow it in a patio container; like other ninebarks it is hardy to USDA Zone 3 so should overwinter well above-ground in most of North America.

Physocarpus is a great plant. It's native, very hardy, and new varieties like Tiny Wine ninebark are colorful all season. Bees love it. Its only potential flaw is a tendency to have powdery mildew, which can be avoided by proper selection and siting.

Tips for Growing Physocarpus

First off, plant Physocarpus in full sun. Good air circulation is also helpful. I have a row of Coppertina® ninebarks in a full sun, southwest exposure with lots of wind coming through the nearby cornfields. There is no windbreak to speak of, and West Michigan gets some righteous wind - 40-50 mph gusts left a lot of folks without power last week. That's a site that would have a lot of plants looking wilted and tattered, and the Coppertina ninebarks love it. 

Secondly, pay attention to the cultivar. Summer Wine® Physocarpus has good resistance to powdery mildew; Tiny Wine ninebark comes from the same breeding, so we expect it will trial well, too. Check out this evalution published in American Nurseryman for a good review of many popular cultivars.

Physocarpus is a very hardy plant, growing happily far into the north. Luckily it provides nice winter interest with its exfoliating bark - a real benefit for those of us in the Snowbelt. It's a tough customer and will tolerate a lot, but those of you in Zones 8-9 may find that it isn't super happy in your heat and humidity. Finally, established plantings of Physocarpus have good drought tolerance.

OK, ready for a bit of fun? Check out this hypnotic wind map.


Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles.

August 3, 2015

Plant of the Week: Sonic Bloom Reblooming Weigela


Sonic Bloom Pink Reblooming Weigela

Sonic Bloom® weigela are the strongest rebloomers ever seen in weigela. They bloom in May as expected, then produce waves of flowers until frost.

Sonic Bloom Pearl Reblooming Weigela
Sonic Bloom® Pearl reblooming weigela
We have three colors available: PinkPearl, and Red. All will grow in full sun or partial shade and show good deer resistance. They grow 4-5' tall and wide (if you need something smaller check out My Monet® or Spilled Wine® weigelas- they aren't rebloomers but do have colorful foliage). If you must prune them, do so right after that first spring bloom.

Sonic Bloom Red Reblooming Weigela
Sonic Bloom® Red reblooming weigela
Our clever, punny name may have you wondering what a sonic boom is. Physics was never my strongest subject, but I did find a relatively simple explanation of the phenomenon here.

For more fun with sound waves, check out the pendulum clock mystery.

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles

Featured Post

Plant of the Week: Emerald Envy® Viburnum

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles The Emerald City is on my mind right now because I'm headed to Seattle this week for ...